Mobile merchandising device



June 21, 1938. J, E HECKERT 2,121,756

MQBILE MERCHANDISING DEVICE Filed July 26, 1957 z/Vf' l ra/e 75 5. fife/ 5e r ir x Patented June 21, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOBILE MERCHANDISING DEVICE Application July 26, 1937, Serial No. 155,751

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a mobile merchandising device, and has for its principal object the pro-v vision of a relatively simple, practical and inexpensive frame that is supported by casters or small wheels, and which provides a convenient support and carriage for market baskets or like containers, and the device being particularly adapted for use by the customers of markets and where a number of purchases are made in different booths, stalls or at separated points.

Further objects of my invention are, to provide a strong and durable frame, preferably constructed from metal tubing and supported by casters or small wheels so that it may be conveniently moved from one position to another, said frame capable of being folded so as to occupy small space when packed for storage or transportation, and the upper portion of said frame including four upwardly presented diverging arms that receive between them, a standard or conventional market basket that provides a receptacle for the articles purchased by the customer and user of the mobile merchandising device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile merchandising device constructed in accordance with my invention, with a conventional market basket shown in dotted lines positioned in the upper portion of the frame.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the upper portion of the device.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the merchandising device comprises two practically identical frames, each of which includes a pair of inclined legs I 0, preferably formed of metal tubing and the lower ends of which are fitted with casters or small wheels I I.

Transverse braces I2 are arranged between the lower portions of the members of each pair of legs and similar transverse members l3 are arranged between the upper portions of the members of each pair of legs.

One of these frames is made slightly narrower than the other so that the legs thereof pass between the legs of the other frame, and at the points where the legs cross each other, the respective members are pivoted to each other by pins or bolts l4 that pass through said legs. Thus the two frames are capable of being folded into compact condition while not in use or while being shipped from one point to another.

The upper portions of the legs Ill or those portions above the cross braces l3 diverge with respect to each other, so as to conform to the shape of the body portion of a conventional market basket, the latter being shown in dotted lines in Figure l, and when the basket is positioned between the diverging upper portions of the legs, it rests on the cross members 13 and as a result, the basket is firmly supported on top of the mobile frame.

To limit the opening movement of the frame, a flexible member, preferably a chain [5, has its ends connected to the central portions of the cross braces l3.

The use of a flexible connection between the cross braces I3 enables the frame to be readily collapsed or folded, and at the same time limits the opening movement of the folding frames.

In the use of the mobile merchandising device, an attendant at a market delivers to the customer one of the mobile frames with a market basket positioned in the upper portion of said frame, and as the frame is mounted on casters, it may be easily and conveniently moved from one point to another as purchases in different departments of the market are made. Due to the fact that the device is capable of being conveniently moved from one position to another, and said device supports the market basket or receptacle that receives the packages and goods purchased, the merchanising device aifords great convenience to customers particularly wherea considerable movement of packages or different articles are purchased.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a mobile merchandising device that is. relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved mobile merchandising device may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

In a mobile merchandising device, a pair of practically identical frames, each comprising a pair of inclined legs, the intermediate portions of which legs are pivotally connected, casters carried by the lower ends of said legs, cross braces connecting the lower portions of the members of each pair of legs, cross braces connecting the upper portions of themembers of each pair of legs, the upper portions of all of said legs above the upper cross bars diverging with respect to each other to form a pocket for the reception of a market basket or like receptacle and a flexible member connecting the intermediate portions of the upper pair of cross members.

JOHN E. HECKERT. 

